Frank Hernandez, senior mechanic, points out the position of the pressure gauge on the cat’s eye.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries occur each year due to under-inflated tires.

Ron Harkness, Region 1 fleet director, is leading the implementation of a tire pressure monitoring system called a cat’s eye that allows drivers to assure that tires are maintained at optimal pressure. This system maximizes truck safety from premature tire blowout caused by under inflation. It also maintains a dual tire set to eliminate the overall “drag factor,” reducing tire wear and maintenance which increases fuel economy.

We found RSC trucks on average are under inflated by 15.3%, costing RSC an estimated $951,834 per year. To maximize safety, fuel economy and increase tire life, this monitoring system:

• Allows for a quick physical, glance/indication of tire pressure in dual-tire sets.
• Gives an indication of underinflated tires (based on tire requirements).
• Maintains both dual tires as a set to equal pressures, reducing drag factor (excessive tire wear).
• Allows for a single point of inflation to both tires in a dual set.
• Aids in reducing run-flat failures and improves casing life. Tires represent the second largest financial expenditure for most fleets.
• 20 percent under inflation of a trailer’s tires can cut their usable life by 25 percent.
• 30 percent under inflation cuts the tires life by as much as 55 percent.
• Improperly inflated tires tend to scuff and drag, consuming as much as 10 percent of your fuel efficiency.

“Right now the focus of this program is to keep our drivers safe,” said Harkness. “With more data we can better determine fuel savings and efficiencies and with tires being one of our largest expenditures, we hope to continue reducing maintenance costs.”